Arkansas GFC Lists Opening Dates for 2013 Deer Hunting

Arkansas deer hunters who plan in advance for upcoming seasons focus on scheduling vacations, making reservations and arranging other details of the annual major event.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has set deer season openings for 2013, and there is a change for archery hunters.

Bow season will open Saturday, Sept. 28, in 2013. For decades bow hunting had started on Oct. 1, then it was moved to Sept. 15 for 2012. The desire for a Saturday opening, similar to most other Arkansas hunting seasons, led to the new policy of opening bow hunting on the fourth Saturday of September each year.

Muzzleloader season in 2013 will open Saturday, Oct. 19. This is following the pattern of starting muzzleloader hunting on the third Saturday each October.

Modern gun season will open Saturday, Nov. 9, in 2013, and this is following the long-standing patter of starting modern gun hunting on the second Saturday in November.

Other details of the 2013 deer seasons will be worked out early next year.